CEO Guide to Site Selection

Arkansas

A GROWING DISTRIBUTION HUB

Arkansas remains a hot spot for supply chain and distribution. Its strategic location in the center of
the country offers market access to more than 100 million people within a 550-mile radius. Companies
like Walmart, Amazon, FedEx and ABF Freight have long positioned their distribution centers in the
state to take advantage of location and transportation networks. Yet, the state has also diversified its
economy in recent years and is now doubling down on its innovation potential. In the summer of 2024,
it launched ARise—Arkansas Innovators, Startups and Entrepreneurs—an ambitious initiative aimed at
propelling tech and tech-enabled companies in the state to new heights of innovation.

“Pro-growth policies make a difference. Today’s news confirms what Arkansans already know: when we cut taxes, slash red tape and invest in our workforce, our economy can lead the nation.”
Sarah Huckabee Sanders
Governor

TAXES

0 %

top corporate income tax

# 0

on the Tax Foundation’s State Tax Competitiveness Index

EDUCATION

0 %

of adults 25 years of age and older graduated high school

0 %

of adults age 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree or higher

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE

0 %

RIGHT TO WORK STATE

Yes

QUALITY OF LIFE

# 0

POPULATION GROWTH

0 %

increase between 2020 and 2023

KEY INCENTIVES

Advantage Arkansas: Offers a state income tax credit for the creation of jobs based on the payroll of new, full- time, permanent employees hired.

Tax Back: Provides sales and use tax refunds on the purchase of building materials, machinery and equipment to eligible businesses.

ArkPlus: A state income tax credit program that provides tax credits of 10% of the total investment in a new location or expansion project.

Equity Investment Incentive Program: Discretionary income tax credit of up to 33.3% of amount invested for technology-based businesses offering wages above state or county averages.

EDCs

Arkansas Economic Development Commission
arkansasedc.com

Association of Arkansas Development Organizations

arkansaseconomicregions.org

Little Rock Regional Chamber

littlerockchamber.com/economic-development

Fort Smith Regional Alliance

fortsmithregionalalliance.com

HIGHLIGHTED PROGRAM OR INITIATIVE

Launched in October 2024, the Arkansas Business Resource Hub offers a free and decentralized listing of organizations offering resources, programs and funding to entrepreneurs and small business owners. Users get access to a range of features, including a learning center with guides to help entrepreneurs and ESOs explore co-working opportunities, entrepreneurship opportunities and more.

BIG DEALS

  • Elopak broke ground in March 2024 on its first U.S. production site. The $70 million project is expected to create more than 100 jobs.
  • Zekelman Industries announced in April 2024 a $120 million investment to expand the manufacturing capabilities of its facility in Blytheville.
  • Tractor Supply opened its 10th and largest distribution center in Maumelle in May 2024. The $175 million investment will create more than 500 fulltime jobs.
  • Windsor Door announced in June 2024 a new $21 million production line at its facility in Little Rock.
  • Tate announced in August 2024 a new manufacturing facility and 148 new jobs in Pocahontas.
  • White River Energetics announced in September 2024 a $70 million investment and more than 100 new jobs in Des Arc.
  • G&H Decoys announced in September 2024 the relocation of its headquarters and the creation of 77 jobs in Corning.

BIG COMPANIES

Four Fortune 500 companies headquartered in state:

  • J.B. Hunt Transport Services
  • Murphy USA
  • Tyson Foods
  • Walmart
Roundtable

Strategic Planning Workshop

1:00 - 5:00 pm

Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process

Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:

  1. Lack of systematic approach (70%)
  2. Laundry lists without prioritization (68%)
  3. Decisions based on personalities rather than facts and information (65%)

 

Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns.  They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning.  Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process.  This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented.  If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form.  The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.

New York, NY: ​​​Chief Executive's Corporate Citizenship Awards 2017

Women in Leadership Seminar and Peer Discussion

2:00 - 5:00 pm

Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations. 

Limited space available.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $495 will be added to your total.

Golf Outing

10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS

General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.

The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $295 will be added to your total.